The various Electrolux attachments that you show represent several models. The three rug tools went with models XII (12), XXX (30), XX (20), and LX (60). In pic 3, the wands were standard issue from model XI (11) through one of the models after the E automatic, but the exact date I don't know. The bare floor tool was model XII through LXI, and the vaporizer is late 1960's, probably model G, or 1205. The cord I can't tell either as there is no female end, but the plug was made by the Belden cord and cable company located in Chicago at that time. Crevice tools are also late model XI, through the last of the XXX's, and the blue one is most likely XLI. As for the clip-on brush tool, I don't think that's even an Electrolux tool, as I've never seen it, unless it's part of the Model V (5), though I doubt it. The ride on tool holder was called the 'Companion,' and was introduced around 1948 for the model XXX, but redesigned for the LX, and LXI, after which, the attachments were redesigned as combination tools. And Finally, the front cover assembly was an optional kit to allow the use of the disposable bags, but not standard issue by Electrolux.

I think you would enjoy reading the posts in the thread posted by Powermate1970 'Lux 30/xxx tools.' Go to vintage archives and click on January 2013. It's a great thread and will provide you with the history you desire.  

Alex Taber

The dust brush was designed by Gustaf E. Lofgren in 1934 for the model XII, and was used until he introduced the combination dust brush/upholstery tool in 1954. As for the plastic dust brush, it was a temporary replacement during WW11, when metal parts were in limited supply.

To help you understand these tools better, I've just scanned in the copies of Electrolux patents I collected in 1975 to 79. The basic floor tool went through several styles and I have scanned in what I have. They range from 1933 to 1947. The last of them was used for the models XXX, LX and LXI. I didn't include the combination rug/floor tool as the patent I have is 1968. I hope this helps.

Alex Taber.

Here is how a patent works. Once a company like Electrolux, Hoover, Kirby and so on files for a patent on a given part, tool, machine, or the improvement of these, they are givwn permission to produce that tool, however, the term is 'patent pending.' The duration between the date the patent is 'filed' and 'granted,' ranges from a few weeks to several years.

Most of the tools used with the various Electrolux models did not change from 1934 to 1954. What did change was the rubber trim, and that changed with the color of each model. The rug tool was the only attachment to go through a series of designs, and these were from 1933 to 47. In addition, certain tools were introduced but had a limited run. The reason for this was WWII, which forced all companies to go into "war production," so the motors that were usually made for a vacuum cleaner became, in Electrolux's words, "motors that fight!" This is why the model XXX had such a long run. Interestingly enough it was on September 11, 1944, that Electrolux was given permission by the War Production board to resume, on a limited basis, manufacturing vacuum cleaners for sales to the American people. It was also around this time that Gustaf E. Lofgren thought up the idea of the self ejecting dust bag, which would become the model LX.

So it all began with the little dusting brush for the model XII, which is shown here.

Alex Taber.  

Here is the patent information on the combination dusting/upholstery tool. Again, from the model E, it did not change, only the color which followed that of the various models.

second page.

Here's another design for the upholstery tool. As for the vacuum cleaner, that's the model XX (20) which had a limited run. There are several theories on this, and nobody is sure which is true. Some say it was the machine designed to follow the XXX but the war broke out, and this was the machine sold during the war. Another story is that Electrolux didn't feel it measured up and brought back the XXX. My friends Charles Richard Lester, Tom Gasko and I all have our ideas, but none of us know for sure. Even the date of production is a blur, as are the attachments that went with it. The tool shown here might well be a variation of the teardrop shaped tool posted on the thread Lux 30/XXX tools. Your guess is as god as mine.

The next four posts are the only patents of the rug tool I have in my files. Charles Richard Lester has a whole list of patents, and might be able to fill in what I don't have, but this will give you the basic information.

2 of 4.

3 of 4.

3 of 4.

Here's the tool you opened this thread with. It was used with the later version of the model XXX, and was kept in production with the LX and LXI. As you can see, it could be flipped over and used much like a Mr. Clean magic eraser. During the war, the top was given a green/gray plastic top, and was used with the LX.

Unfortunately, I don't have pictures of these tools, that's why I sent you to the thread started by powermate1970. If you haven't looked at the entire thread, you should, because it has all kinds of pictures, as well as beautiful machines.

Yes the patents are in the correct order of production, and I will post other tools and accessories later tonight.

When Electrolux opened it's factory in Old Greenwich, Connecticut in 1933, there was a skeleton crew that came to America from Sweden (where Electrolux was founded) and helped start the new company. One of the key people was Gustaf E. Lofgren. And while I don't know a lot about him, he was the man who designed the tools. Gustaf, and his engineers perfected the basic tools out of polished aluminum, and the only changes wer the rubber trim matched the leatherette of the XII, XXX and so on. The big changes came around 1955, with the introduction of the model E, and that ushered in the various colors to the combination tools.

And speaking of changes, it was 1948 when Electrolux introduced a whole line of attachments and devices like the Cord winder, Companion, Polisher, and Garment Aire bag, as well as special tools like the white bristle wall brush, and white bristle dusting brush. In this case, only the brushes changed. Sometime after the introduction of the E automatic, tools acquired the plastic shell. My history stops with the last of the LX's, and either Charles Richard Lester or Tom Gasko (perhaps both) should respond to that as they are far more knowledgeable.

Pictured here is the basic bare floor brush that went with the model XII (rubber trim was milk chocolate brown), and the tool stayed in production to the last of the LXI's.

Second version of the bare floor tool.

Thank you for adding your input. I'm scanning pages from the Electrolux patent folder that I shared with you back in days gone bye. My idea is to give Kevin the dates these patents were filed and granted, then he can take it from there. As always when in doubt, I refer to you.

Bob Alex.

You have indicated interest in the combination rug/floor tool introduced with the model E. Again, there is some confusion here. Both Electrolux and General Electric used the same basic style. The confusion is which came out first. While G.E. simply had the user flip the tool over, Electrolux required the user to remove the swivel connector first. Here are four patents Electrolux got in the 1960's. 

2 of 4.

3 of 4.

4 of 4.

When it comes to the power polisher attachment that was introduced with the 1947/48 version of the model XXX shown here, the undisputed expert is my friend Charles Richard Lester. He loves that tool almost as much as I love the model LX, and I mean in it's purest form with the yellow nameplate with "Electrolux" in red lettering! When Charles and I first talked the V.C.C.C. was in a holding pattern due to a lack of inactivity. For years John Lucia and I had begged our handful of members to send us information to use in the newsletter, but that fell on deaf ears. This was the darkest moment, because I thought seriously of letting the club die on the vine. Enter Charles Richard with a questioner on the vacuum cleaner, and my interest was piqued. Both Charles Richard, and John Lucia urged me to keep the club alive, but it was Charles who pumped new blood into it, thus saving it's life! That was way back in the fall of 1992, and in May of 93, the club was thriving.

In addition to the power polisher, which is not to be confused with the full sized B-6, (?) used as a polisher/buffer/carpet washer, this was an air powered tool that was sold with the XXX, LX, and LXI. It was changed slightly when the model E was introduced and became the forerunner of the Electrolux Rug Washer introduced a few years later. As for the 'Turbo tools' I will again defer to Charles Richard, as he's the expert in that too. But for now, here are those patents to give you the dates filed and when the patent was granted.

The Turbo tool.

The 'Rug Washer.'

Here is one of those mystery tools introduced at the start of the model XXX's long run. Clearly it was designed to be a suction regulator that fit either on the handle of the hose, or the end of the wand (users option). The mystery here is, was it standard issue, or a flash in the pan? The same concept would turn up years later as part of the hose handle, but not only on Electrolux machines but almost every brand, and is still used today. Again, I'll defer to Charles Richard Lester, perhaps he knows the answer. 

As far as I know the 'Garment Aire Bag' was an Electrolux exclusive. It's shown here and on the next post, and was part of the optional equipment that began with the model XXX, but the exact year is not known. (Help me out here Charles). What I do know is that it was part of the 1948 version, as was the cord winder, Companion and a host of other new products which I'll post patent info on later.

More on the Garment bag.

Now we come to the major mystery question of the Cord Winder. Why is this a mystery? because somewhere in my files is a patent for a 1920's upright Air-Way, and clearly shown is a 'cord reel' laying on the floor. So like with the combination rug/floor tool possibly being a General Electric design, the credit for the Electrolux cord winder might easily go to Air-Way, but I'll leave that one to my friend, Tom Gasko, and the other Air-Way experts out there in Vacuumland.  Another interesting point about Air-Way, they were the first company to introduce the disposable bag. The year for that was 1920.  

What I do know is that this was NOT manufactured at the Electrolux factory in Old Greenwich, Connecticut! Being that the factory was located in a residential area, no rubber parts were made there, but were farmed out. The actual cord, and the cords for most vacuum cleaner companies was made by 'Belden,' located in Chicago. As for the cord reel, that was also farmed out and assembled at the 'Vacuum Cleaner Corporation,' Philadelphia, Pa..

The Cord Winder is an optional tool that became standard equipment with I think the model G, and continues today, but one shown here was introduced in 1948.

I'd like to close this history lesson, or at least pause it with the introduction of the 'Companion.' There might be other versions of this at an earlier date, as well as the design used for the models LX, and LXI. Some companions have a place for the crevice tool which Electrolux called 'the narrow space cleaner' while others did not. However, you get the general idea.

You are most welcome!

This is the reason John Lucia and I formed the V.C.C.C. way back in 1983. Both of us had untapped knowledge of vacuum cleaners, and wanted to share it with others. The main goal was to help people interested in a given brand find the information they were looking for, like you and Electrolux tools. I'm so glad I could give you a little bit of what you were searching for, and get a bit of history as well.

Here's a look at a former Electrolux wall of fame which was part of my display in San Diego, California circa 2006.

Alex Taber.